Method of and apparatus for making containers



l5 Sheets-Sheet 1 K Q m w. E. BOWEiRSOCK ET AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUSFOR MAKING CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 5, 19:55

Jan. 19, 1937. 'w. E. BOWERSOCK -r AL 2,063,163

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 5, 1955 15Sheets-Sheet 2 BY J 12253 ilumwf N am Jan. 19, 1937. w. E. BOWERSOCK ETAL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 5-, 1955 v15 Sheets-Sheet s INVEMORS fiow zrsock Jan. 19, 1937.

W. E. BOWERSOCK Er AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CONTAINERSFiled Dec. 5, 1935 15 sheets-sheet 4 M25621 v BYTFQIMCLSJ aw H m n A v ea 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 5, 1935 w. E. BOWERSOCK El AL METHOD OFAND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CONTAINERS Jan. 19, 1937.

g mwm Jan. 19, 1937. w. E. BOWERSOCK ET AL 2,063,163

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CONTAINERS Jan. 19, 1937. w. E.BOWERSOCK El AL 2,063,163

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 5, 1955 15Sheets- Sheet 7 INVEORS merflzaureraock 7752 1016 z'ess MArmRuEr Jan.19, 1937. w. E. BOWERSOCK ET AL 2,053,163

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 5, 1935 15Sheets-Shee 8 Jan. 19, 1937.

wQE. B'owERsocK ET AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CONTAINERSFiled Dec. 5, 1935 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 I INVENTORS merjflawersod fllanczls115 259% flair A170 EY W. E. BOWERSOCK ET AL METHOD AND APPARATUS FQRMAKING CONTAINERS a 90 1 ow l m Filed Dec. 5, 1955 15 Sheet-Sheefi'lOJan. 19, 1937. w. E. BOWERSOCK ET AL 2, 1

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CONTAINERS Filed 1935 15 Sheets-Sheetll Ziez} ATT RNEY Jan. 19, 1937. w. E. BowERsocK ET AL 2,063,153

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 5, 1955 15Sheets-Sheet l2 i g g; z $6 a I I 1% INVENTORS Jan. 19, 1937- w. E.BOWERSOCKET AL 2,063,163

METHOD (1F AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CONTAINERS 15 Sheets-Sheet 13 FiledDec. 5,' 1935 INVENTORS rflBozu'ersock 3y F'Fanczis U'S n'esa I "Eel;4170 FY Jan. 19, 1937. w. E. BOWERSOCK El AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FORMAKING CONTAINERS l Filed Dec. 5, 1955 15 Sheets-Sheet 14 flee) ATTORNEYJan. 19, 1937. w. E. BOWERSOCK El AL 2,058,163

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 5, 1935 15Sheets-Sheet 15 my zrz i ii MC].-

Patented Jan. 19, 1931 of New York 79 Claims.

The invention relates to an improved method of and apparatus for makingcontainers or boxes from sheet material such, for example, as corrugatedor other fiber boards or blanks.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved machine forproducing paper or cardboard boxes or containers by a rapid andcontinuous method whereby to increase the output of machines of thistype, and to materially lower the cost of production of the articles.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means foradvancing, folding and'opcrating upon the folded sections of the blanksto position their opposing edges in adjacent and substantially parallelrelation preparatory to uniting said edges by the use of suitableconnecting means. Another object of the invention is to provide improvedmeans for offsetting one or more of the foldable portions of the blanksto avoid overlapping of said portions when folding them down over anintermediate portion of the blank to position their opposing edges inadjacent or abutting relation.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means forfolding the blanks which will permit them to be advanced with a minimumdegree of frictional resistance and which will insure a gradual downwardand unhurriedl movement of the foldable sections into position uponmeans provided for receiving'opposite edge partions of the sections.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means fortruing or squaring the folded sections of the blanks to insure properalinement thereof and the positioning of their opposing edges insubstantially abutting relation for the proper reception of theconnecting means there for, such, for example, as gummed strips ortapes. A further object of the invention is to provide improvedcoordinated mechanisms for advancing and truing the folded blanks andfor continuin their advancement and at the same time moving each intoengagement with the next preceding blank.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means forapplying the tapes or securing strips to the adjacent edges of thefolded sections of the blanks.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved automaticsevering means for the tapes, the operations of which are controlled bythe advancing blanks.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved coordinated andproperly timed mechanisms for feeding and advancing the blanks in UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE METHODIOF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CONTAINERSWilber E. Bowersock and Francis J. Spiess, Rochester, N. Y., assignorsto The Rochester Folding Box 00., Rochester, N. Y., a corporationApplication December 5, 1935, Serial No. 53,024

spaced relation, folding and truing the same, taping the blanks duringadvancement, and severing the tape at points between the blanks whilecontinuing their advancement, whereby to provide a continuous andautomatic method of operation by which to rapidly, economically, andefficiently produce the desired articles.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved method ofconditioning and operating upon the blanks to prevent overlapping of theopposing edges of the end portions thereof when folding the blanks toposition said edges in substantially abutting relation.

A further object of the invention is 'to provide an improved method ofconditioning, folding and operating upon the folded sections of theblanks in a manner to position opposing edges of the sections inadjacent and substantially parallel relation.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvementsand combinations of parts, all as will be-hereinafter more fullydescribed, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the endof the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation diagrammatically illustrating various partsof a machine embodying the invention; A

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of the machine. shown in Fig. 1; I

Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are views in elevation which, taken together, forma complete side elevation of the machine;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional plan of the blank advancing andfoldingportion of the machine to which the blanks are discharged by the feedingmechanism;

Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are transverse sections taken respectively on thelines 8-8, 9F9, and il0 of Fi 7;

Fig. 11 is a sectional plan of that portion of the machine which forms acontinuation of that shown in Fig. '7 and which completes the blankfolding and truing operations;

Fig. 12 is a longitudinal section taken substantially on line I2-i2 ofFig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary side elevation drawn to an enlarged scale andillustrating the means shown in Figs. 3 and 'l for offsetting one of thescored portions of each blank during advancement of the blanks;

Fig. 14 is a transverse section on line Id-Jl of Fig. 13;

Figs. 15. 16, and 1'? are transverse sections taken respectively onlines l-l5, lS-lG, and

l'l--|1 of Fig. 5, and illustrating the method of folding the blanksduring advancement thereof;

Fig. 18 is a transverse section similar to Fig. 17 showing the foldedportions of the blanks in the lowest position to which they are moved bythe folding means;

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary sectional elevation taken longitudinallythrough that portion of the machine embodying means for squaring ortruing the blanks and showing said means in the position it occupies atthe beginning of its stroke;

Fig. 20 is a transverse section on line 20-20 of Fig. 19 showing therollers for holding the folded portions of the blanks down upon the hornwhich prevents said portions from contacting with the inner advancingtape;

-Fig. 21 is a perspective view of the container with the flaps shown inopen position;

Fig. 22 is a longitudinal fragmentary sectional elevation somewhatsimilar to Fig. 19 and showing the blank squaring means at the end ofits operating stroke, at which it has moved the blank into engagementwith the next preceding blank in advance thereof.

Fig. 23 is a transverse sectional elevation taken on line 23-23of Fig.22;

Fig. 24 is a sectional elevation taken longitudinally through the blanktruing means and showing the blank squaring element in the loweredposition to which it is moved upon completion of its operating stroke;

Fig. 25 is a plan view of a blank showing the folded sections out ofallnement and illustrating a portion of the means for truing or squaringthe blanks;

Fig. 26 is a similar view showing the sections moved into allnement withtheir opposing edges in parallel relation;

Fig. 2'1 is a transverse sectional elevation taken on line 21-21 of Fig.5 showing the means for adjusting the shaft carrying the upper feed beltpulleys to vary the opening between the upper and lower feed beltsshownin Fig. 22;

Fig. 28 is a fragmentary sectional elevation on line 28-28 of Fig. 27illustrating the cam-controlled means for arresting the blank when it ismoved to the truing position shown in Fig. 26;

Fig. 29 is a similar view showing the arresting means moved to blankreleasing position;

Fig. 30 is a fragmentary side elevation illustrating the tape severingmechanism and the Fig. 32 is a longitudinal section through the clutchfor operating the tape severing means;

Fig. 33 is a transverse section taken on line 33-33 of Fig. 32;

Fig. 34 is a view similar to Fig. 30 showing the tape severing mechanismin operating position and the tripping means therefor released by theblank;

Fig. 35 is a fragmentary sectional elevation on the line 3535 of Fig. 34illustrating the construction of the clutch tripping mechanism, and

Fig. 36 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the tripping mechanismas viewed from the left of Fig. 35.

The same reference numerals throughout the several views indicate thesame parts.

The present machine generally embodies means for feeding the blanks inspaced relation to a blank advancing mechanism, which includes means forincreasing their speed after they have traveled a predetermined distanceand which operates to successively move the blanks into engagement withmeans for momentarily arresting the same, means also being provided forfolding the blanks during advancement by said mechanism. A reciprocatingelement is moved into engagement with the trailing edge of each arrestedblank for cooperation with the arresting means to effect truing orsquaring of the blank by properly allning the folded sections thereofone with another to position their adjacent edges in parallel relation.The arresting means is displaced immediately upon completion of thesquaring operations and the reciprocating element then continues itsoperating stroke to move the'trued blanks to a second advancingmechanism, preferably comprising upper and lower feed belts. betweenwhich the squared blanks are successively moved by said reciprocatingelement to a position at which each blank will overtake and engage thenext preceding blank. Continued advancement of the blanks in contact onewith another is afforded by the continuous operation of the feed belts.

The inner and outer gummed tapes are applied to the opposite sides ofthe adjacent or abutting edges of the folded sections of the blanksdur-. ing advancement of the blanks by the feed belts, the tapes beingunwound from the supply rolls by the pull exerted by the advancingblanks and made to contact with the blanks by suitable means forpressing the tapes into engagement with the blanks. The blanks aredischarged by the feed belts to the tape severing mechanism, whichincludes a clutch driven knife operating to sever the inner and outertapes at points between the advancing blanks, the clutch being releasedfor operation by a trip mechanism including an element actuated by eachsuccessive blank discharged by the feed belts. Additional. blankadvancing means is provided for successively moving the blanks separatedby the severing of the tapes, which means operates to increase the speedof the blanks to move them past the tripping element whereby to permitthe latter to be returned to normal position in time to be engaged bythe leading edge of each successive blank discharged by the feed belts.

The means for conditioning the blanks to avoid overlapping of theopposing edges of the foldable sections thereof is placed between theblank feeding means and the means for folding the blanks. Theconditioning means operates during movement of the blanks by theadvancing mechanism to bend an extension on one of the foldable sectionsof each blank upwardly and inwardly so that it will be offset relativeto said section prior to the folding of the same.

Subsequently when the folding sections are.

moved downwardly over the intermediate portion of the blank the opposingedges of said sections will lie in spaced relation when moved intocontact with a horn or support provided for the reception of the same,after which means provided for the purpose will exert downward pressureon the section having the offset portion, causing its free edge to rideon the horn toward and substantially into abutting relation with respectto the opposing edge of the opposite section, thus avoiding any possibily of the overlapping of said edges.

Referring to the drawings, the box I shown in Fig. 21, which isconstructed according to the method and by the apparatus describedhereinafter, is preferably formed of a one piece blank, designatedgenerally by the reference numeral 5,

the blank being formed of any suit-able material such, for example, ascorrugated or like composite board. The blanks may be 'cut to thedesired size and shape and scored by suitable mechanism and, ifpreferred, the cutting, scoring, and feeding of the blanks to theadvancing and folding means may be performed by a, single machine of anywell known design, although in the present disclosure the cutting andscoring mechanism has been omitted.

The blank from which the container shown in Fig. 21 is constructed hasthree side walls 6 which are provided with end closure flaps Ga, thefourth side wall being formed by uniting the relatively wide and narrowextensions 1 and la,

respectively, having flap forming portions lb and le thereon. Theadjacent or meeting edge portions of the extensions, including those ofthe flap forming portions 1b, are united or joined together by the innerand outer connecting strips or tapes 8 and 9, as shown in Fig. 21, thestrips being formed of any suitable material such, for example, as paperor cloth. The strips may be attached to the extensions or ends of theblank by any suitable means, but it is preferred to secure them by theuse of adhesive material, which may be applied either to the oppositefaces of the adjacent edge portions of the extensions or to theconnecting strips before applying the latter to said edge portions,according to the method described hereinafter.

Referring to the diagrammatic arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of thedrawings, the reference characters A, B, C, D, and E designate in ageneral way different sections ofthe machine for performing differentoperations. For example the section A is that for supporting and feedingthe blanks in spaced relation to the section 13 which has means forsuccessively advancing and folding the blanks, as well as means foroffsetting a portion of one of the foldable ends of. the blanks prior tothe folding operations, The section C of the machine includes the blankarresting and truing means, and the means for increasingthe speed of theblanks. prior to the truing operations to compensate for the period ofarrest and to insure greater clearance for operation of the movableelement of the truing means. The section D is that through which theblanks are advanced in contact one with another and which has means forapplying the inner and outer tapes to the adjacent edges of the foldedends of the blanks. The section E is that which embodies the tapesevering mechanism and a conveyorfor speeding up the blanks released bythe severing operations to permit the tripping element. for the knifecontrolling clutch to return to normal position in time to be operatedbmeachblank advanced to the severing means-p; I

The framework of the machine may be of any suitable design capable ofsupporting the various operating parts in proper cooperating relation.

.-The framework of the sections B and C of the machine generallycomprises the upright supporting members In, H, and I2 located atopposite sides of the machine and connected by suitable transverse tiemembers as best shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5, and also by the upperlongitudinally extending rails IS. The rails are supported intermediatetheir ends by the struts l4 and diagonal braces IS, the lower ends ofsaid members being suitably connected with the longitudinally extendingrails'lli which are suitably 7 sections and connected with one of theinner sections by a suitable tie plate 20a, Fig. 7. The lower side rails20 and 2| are supported between their ends by a suitable number ofuprights 22, Figs. 3 and 4.

The uprights II and I2 are also connected and braced by thelongitudinally extending rails 23, the outer ends of which are connectedwith the rails l3 by means of the tie plates 24, Fig. 4.

In alinement with the rails l6 are additional roller supporting railsIlia and H52), the latter being shorter than the former and having anarm Iiic extending therefrom, Fig. 11, for a purpose which will appearhereinafter. The rails Ilia and [6b are carried by the vertical supports25, the lower ends of which are suitably connected with said rails andthe upper ends of which are suitably connected with the rails 23, Figs.4 and 5.

The framework for section D of the machine includes the uprights 26 and21, disposed at opposite sides of the machine, said uprights beingconnected by suitable transverse tie members. shown in Fig. 6. Theuprights at each side of the machine are connected by the upper andlower pairs of angle bars 28 and 29, respectively, as well as by theangle bars 30 and 3|.

Extending between the uprights I2 and 21 are the upper and lower pairsof roller supporting rails 32 and 33, respectively, said rails. havingtheir ends suitably connected with said uprights, said ends also beingsuitably connected with the uprights 26. The framework of section D ofthe machine also includes a pair of uprights 34 connected by suitabletransverse tie members. The uprights 34 are spaced from and connectedwith the uprights 21 by means of the upper and lower tie bars 35 and 36which serve to support different parts of the tape severing mechanism,described hereinafter. It will be understood that the lower ends of thevarious upright frame members referred to above are rigidly secured uponor anchored to a suitable base such, for example, as a fioor or othersupporting means.

The blanks when being advanced through section B of the machine, inwhichthey are folded, are engaged at their bottom sides by a series ofdriven rolls 38, the opposite ends of which are journalcd in thelongitudinally extending beams and 2| of the frame structure. Overlyingthe driven rolls are a'series of rollers 39 and 3911, the opposite endsof which are journaled in the spaced rails l6 and Ilia, said rollershaving a limited vertical movement to permit them to rest upon and toaccommodate themselves to the lower flight of the feed belt 40 forcooperation with the rolls 38 during advancement of the blanksdischarged thereto by the feed mechanism designated generally by thereference numeral 4|, Fig. 3, and described hereinafter.

The rollers 39a are provided with springs 35!) which operate to urgethem into engagement with the blanks 5 discharged beneath said rollersby the belt 40 whereby to insure continued movement of the blanks by thebelt-driven rollers 38a at the left of the upright frame members ll,Fig. 5.

The belt is supported upon suitably mounted pulleys l2 and is operatedby a driving pulley l3 driven by a chain or belt 44 which in turn isdriven by a worm wheel 45 operated by a worm 48 on a power driven shaft41 which is operated by the gears 48 driven by suitable change speedgearing, not shown, within the casing 49, Figs. 1, 2, and 4. The shaft41 is journaled in suitable bearings and is extended to and operativelyconnected with a change speed gear mechanism housed within a casing 50,said gearing being operatively connected with other parts of themechanism, as described hereinafter.

A belt 5| driven by the shaft 41 is operatively connected with arelatively long shaft 52 which in turn is operatively connected with aseries of vertically extending belts 53 individually connected withpulleys on and serving to drive the blank advancing rolls 38 and 3811,Figs. land 2.

Any. suitable means may be provided for feeding the blanks 5 from thestack or pile shown in Fig. 3 in spaced relation and between the belt 40and the power driven rolls 38 for advancement through section B of themachine. The mechanism provided for this purpose, in the presentinstance, is shown more or less diagrammatically in Figs. 1 and 2, andalso at the right of. Fig. 3, and as previously stated is designatedgenerally by the reference character 4|. ,It comprisesw a frame havingthereon a bed or table 54 and a member 55 inclined to the horizontal andreceiving the leading edges of the blanks of the stack shown on saidtable, one in advance of another. A verically disposed guide plate 56'is superimposed upon the table and serves to maintain the blanks inproper alinement thereon and during movement therefrom.

A slideor pusher bar 51 is mounted for reciprocation upon the tableand'has its front edge extended beneath the pile of blanks, the slidebeing provided with a strip or raised portion 58 for successivelyengaging and advancing the blanks beneath the lower edge of the member55 and between a pair of feed rolls SI and 59a which serve to advancethe blanks to and between the belt 40 and rollers 38 for advancementthereby. Reciprocaticn of the slide may be effected by any suitablemeans, such, for'example, as the link 60 and lever 6 I operated byanother link 62 connected with a crank arm 63 fixed on a shaft Bl drivenby a gear 65 which in turn is driven by a train of gears, one of whichis operated by a transverse shaft 66, Fig. 3. A belt 61, Fig. 1, isoperatively connected with the feed roll 590, the belt having suitabledriving means connected with and operated by the shaft 66. A pulley 68is fixed on the shaft 86 and is driven by a belt 89 operated by a pulleyIII on a shaft ll driven by a suitable change speed gearing within thecasing 49. The gearing is driven by a shaft 12 having a pulley operatedby a belt 13 connected with and driven by the shaft of an electric motorI4, Fig. 2.

In conditioning the blanks for the application of the tapes to theopposite edges of the folded ends thereof, it is highly desirable toprevent overlapping of said edges when completing the foldingoperations, and also to insure movement of said edges substantially intoabutting relation in advance of the taping operations. This isparticularly true of blanks constructed to afiord boxes having the jointformed by uniting the ends of the blanks located at a point between twoaooares corners of the be; and preferably nearer one corner thanthe'other, as illustrated in Fig. 21.

This results in having to fold a relatively narrow section of theblankand a relatively wide section, the latter embodying one complete sidewall ,of the box and a portion of another side wall for cooperation withsaid relatively narrow section to complete an additional" side wall.Obviously the wider the sections the greater the difliculties in foldingthe same to prevent overlapping of their opposing edge portions.However, one of the important features of the present invention embodiesan improved method by which to avoid the overlapping of said edges andthe consequent loss of the blanks that would have to be discarded byreason of the imperfect joints which would result from attempting toapply the tapes or connecting strips to said overlapping edges.

This method includes operating upon the scored blanks, preferably beforefolding the same, to inwardly offset an end portion on one foldable sidewall of each blank which is to be joined with another foldable endportion for cooperation therewith to form the side wall having the Jointtherein, aiforded by connecting said end portions. The method furtherincludes folding the side wall having the inwardly offset end portionand the opposite foldable end portion downwardly over an intermediatesection of the blank, positioning said end portions upon a horn orsupport, in

spaced relation, and causing the free edge of said ofl'set end portionto advance on the support substantially into abutting relation relativeto the free edge of the opposite end portion as, for

example, by exerting pressure downwardly on the foldable blank sectionhaving the offset end portion to straighten out said portion or tosubstantially realine it with the side wall from which it extends.

After thus positioning the opposing edges of said folded blank portionsin substantially abutting relation, a further step in the conditioningof the blank for the reception of the tapes or connecting stripscomprises employing suitable means for truing or squaring the blanks. Bythis is meant the overcoming of any inaccuracies resulting from thefolding operations which may place the adjacent edges of the foldedportions in divergent or non-parallel relation as indicated in asomewhat exaggerated manner in Fig. 25' of the drawings, which may occurin different blanks being advanced through the machine from time totime. In other words, the truing or squaring means serves to eifectmovement of one of the folded blank sections relative to another toposition the adjacent edges of said end portions in substantiallyparallel relation, thus alining said sections as illustrated in Fig. 26of the drawings.

The means for accomplishing this result will be described hereinafter,along with the blank folding means, together with the mechanism forcontinuing the advancement of the blanks and that for carrying out themethod of taping the same and of severing of the tapes at points betweenthe blanks, all of which mechanisms are constructed and coordinated toperform their respective functions in proper timed relation whereby toinsure rapid and substantially continuous advancement of the blanks.through the machine, and therefore economical. production of the same.

It will be understood that when the blanks are advanced by the feedingmeans 4| to a point between the feed rolls II and the belt 40, that allportions thereof will lie in a single plane and that during theiradvancement toward the folding means the relatively narrow end portionla of each blank will be swung upwardly and offset inwardly by the meansshown in Figs. 7, 13, and 14, to the angular positiongsho wn in Fig. 15.This means comprises a pin 15 on the longitudinally extending beam 20having an upstanding member 16 clamped thereon for adjustment todifferent positions. The member 16 has a clamping block ll adiustablysecured upon its upper end and upon which is adlustably clamped an arm19 of a rod 19 inclined to the horizontal and also inclined to the pathof movement of the blanks to permit the end portions or extensions in.of the blanks to ride upwardly thereon and to be forced inwardly therebyduring advancement of the blanks, whereby to offset said extensior a 7relative to the portion 6 of the blank, as indicated in Fig. 14.

Suitable means isalso provided for holding the blank down in engagementwith the rolls 38 at the time the extension 1a is being offset by thearm 19, whereby to insure accurate foldingv or hinging of the extensionon the score line of the blank. This means comprises a rod 89 carriedbyan angularly offset arm 81 adjustably supported for movement laterallyof the blank by a clamping bar 82, the lower end of which is clampedupon the horizontal portion 18 of the rod 19, Figs. '13 and 14. When theextension Ta of the blank pas'ses'the ofi-setting element I9 it willswing back to the desired angular relation with respect to the portionsof the blank as indicated in Figs. 15 to 17, inclusive.

The initial folding operations of the advancing blanks are performed bya pair of rods 83 inclined to the horizontal as shown in Fig. 4, andwhich, as shown in Fig. 7 are disposed in convergent relation orinclined relative to the path of movement of the blanks in such a manneras to cause the extension I of the blank and the section 6 carrying theextension In to ride upon the rods and to be elevated thereby, as shownin Figs. 8 to 10, inclusive. are more or less flexible and arepreferably supported loosely at their outer ends by a transverse rod830., and have at their inner ends supporting lugs pivotally connectedat Ma with brackets 85a. secured upon the beams 29 and 2| of the framestructure, as shown in Figs. '7 and 11.

Additional rods 84 are provided for causing 'the foldable sections ofthe blanks to be moved inwardly and downwardly over the intermediateportions thereof when the blanks are being advanced'to the position atwhich they are to be trued up or squared, as described hereinafter. Therods 84 are convergently arranged as shown in Fig. 11, and haveadjustably clamped thereon, for a portion of their length, a pluralityof blocks 85 each carrying a finger 86 adjustably held in position by aset screw 81 as illustrated in Fig. 15.

The outer ends of the rods 8| are provided with lugs pivotally connectedat Ma with the brackets 85a, as are the lugs of the rods 83. The innerends of the rods 84 are supported bythe pivotally connected parts 86aand 81a, the latter being clamped upon the transverse shaft 88 foradjustment inwardly and outwardly thereon to vary the distance betweenthe ends of said rods whereby to more accurately control the movementsof the blank ends during completion of the folding operations, describedhereinafter.

The rods blanks during advancement by'the belts.

The shaft 99 is supported at its ends by a pair of arms "a". pivoted at89x upon the frame members I and 21, said arms being flattened at theirlower ends for the reception of the ends of the screws 89a adjustablysupported by a pair of spaced brackets 90 and operable to vary theposition of the arms to regulate the pressure of I the rollers 9| on thefolded sections of the blanks when in the position shown in Fig. 20.

In moving the foldable sections of the blanks down over the intermediateportions thereof while the blanks are traveling upon the driven rolls38a, it is as previously stated, highly important to prevent overlappingof the edges of said foldable sections in order to avoid thedifattempting to apply the inner and outer tapes to the overlappededges.

It is also extremely important to provide @means for preventing the endsof the folded sections from contacting with the underlying gummed tapeto. prior to the positioning of the opposing edge portions of said endsin substantially abutting relation and also prior to truing orsquaring-up the folded sections of the blanks.

The means for overcoming the above mentioned difficulties comprises ahorn or supporting bar 92 extending longitudinally of the machine inoverlying and protecting relation with respect to the tape 9a, the barbeing supported by 'the parts 92a extending laterally from and carriedby the arm I to of the roll-supporting rail iBb, Figs. 11 and 19.

The tape 8a is unwound from a spool 93 and is carried over a glueapplying roll Y94 and then down around suitably supported rollers 93aand 94a. and under the horn 82 as shown in Figs. 5, 11, and 19, theblank engaging rollers 89c being shortened as shown in Fig. 11 to affordclearghee for the passage of the tape beneath the Before describing themanner of operating upon the folded sections of the blanks to positiontheir ends in substantially abutting relation upon the horn, adescription of the means for conveying the blanks from the feed rolls38a to the point at which the truing operations are performed will begiven. This means comprises relatively wide. and narrow belts 95 and 96which are spaced apart and disposed at opposite sides of the horn, asshown in Figs. 11 and 16. The belts are carried by front and rearpulleys 95a and 96a, respectively, mounted on suitably supported shafts95b and 98b, the latter having a driving pulley 91 thereon operated by abelt 91a driven by a pulley on the shaft 52 for driving the belts 53which operate the blank feed rolls 33a, Fig. 16. The upper flights ofthe belts are adapted to travel upon suitable supports 91b by which theyare prevented from sagging as shown in Fig. 12, whereby to properlysupport the The horizontal or intermediate portion of the blank ismaintained in proper engagement with the upper flight of the relativelywide belt 95 by a series of small rollers 98 on an arm 98a secured onthe roller supporting rail I60. and in overlying relation with respectto the belt 95, as shown in Figs. l1, l2, and 16.

, The blanks are discharged by the feed rolls 38a to the belts 95 and 96which operate to advance the blanks at a speed greater than that atwhich they are moved by said feed rolls, with the result that thedistance between the blanks is increased or made greater after they arereceived

